Back To School!

Schools back in session!  Okay, actually it has been for a while.  Our school year starts in January and ends in December.  So, Back to school in January meant new grades!  Lily is now in Year 1 and Madeline started Prep.  We are on a 4 term system.  We are already half way through term 1 and I am just now posting about the first day of school...  Wow, I'm so behind!

It's been a great year so far.  I'm really happy with both girl's teachers.  The kids in their classes are wonderful too.  I think it's going to be an awesome year.  There has already been a lot of learning going on.  

Lily's first day of school.  At our school, the Prep kids start the day after everybody else.  So Lily started on a Wednesday and Madeline started on Thursday.  I think they do that because the first day of school is kinda crazy at drop off and pick up.  The second day is a lot more relaxed.  It can be helpful for the little nervous prep kids to have slightly less chaos on their first day of big school.

On another note...  I am no longer allowed to do Lily's hair.  Occasionally, she will let me help brush it, but that's it.  She decides on the style and does it herself.  Isn't this too young?!  

Lily's adorable teacher and Lily at the end of the first day.  A great day!

Madeline and Scott walking to school on the first day of Prep.

My cuties! Madeline's backpack is nearly her size! 

Excited!  Playing with play dough!

And here's Wyatt.  What are we going to do with each other now...  We've got 5 days a week, just the two of us!

Madeline just started bringing home her readers.  We are so proud of her!  On the first day, she was just bursting with excitement to get home and read her reader.  She pulled it out of her bag almost as soon as we walked in the door.  She sat down and read it to me twice.  A few more times before the night was through.  Scott and I were both excited for her and congratulating her on now officially being a READER!  She was thrilled and squealed with excitement.  I hope this enthusiasm for reading continues!!

Lily has started learning the violin.  The school arranges the instrument tutors to come to the school and they schedule a 30 minute lesson during the school day.  It's awesome.  Lily has her lesson during her lunch recess on Thursdays.  She's learned 4 notes now.  The Junior school (prep, year 1, year 2) has a Junior Orchestra!  The only requirement for joining is that you can play 1 note.  So, after 2 violin lessons, Lily joined the orchestra!  I got to see the last 10 minutes of orchestra this week and it's super cute.  The children in the junior school can choose the violin, cello, recorder or piano.  The orchestra is made up of about 15 violins and 3 recorders (I didn't see any cellos, and the piano is not part of this orchestra).  They have been working on a song for about 3 weeks, so they performed it for the parents.  Lily's group (brand new beginners), played the same note for the song, but in the correct rhythm.  I was so proud!